Sex Offender Sentenced To Life In Prison

James Gregory Castillo, a 43 years old sex offender, was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of release. Castillo was found guilty of Second Degree Rape on July 25, 2012, after a jury trial where Castillo represented himself with standby counsel.

The charge was based on a June 30, 1998, incident in the City of Wapato where Castillo sexually assaulted the victim after her husband had left for work and while her children were asleep in the house. DNA evidence located at the scene lead to the identification of Castillo as the suspect in the attack. Wapato Police unsuccessfully attempted to locate Castillo at his Yakima County residence, but Castillo had already fled. Castillo was arrested after a traffic stop in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 23, 2010, and extradited back to Yakima on the warrant issued for his arrest in 1998.

Castillo was sentenced as a persistent offender under Washington’s “Two Strikes” law, which requires a life sentence for individuals who are convicted of their second qualifying sex offense. Castillo had been previously convicted of Attempted Second Degree Rape on March 18, 1991. In the 1991 incident, the disabled victim was also attacked in her home.

In addition, Castillo has prior convictions for Second Degree Burglary and Unlawful Imprisonment.